The Constantine Codex
Author:
Paul L. Maier
Director:
ISBN:
978-1-4143-3773-9
Pages:
393
Running Time:
Price:
10.99
Publisher:
Tyndale House
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Synopsis:
The Constantine Codex involves readers in an intriguing search for a rare Third Century copy of the New Testament. The search leads to Istanbul where discovery of the codex arouses the passions of zealous Muslims who try to destroy the precious document.
Of particular interest for many readers is a public Christian-Muslim debate that the book stages in Istanbul at the famous Hagia Sophia. It illustrates the challenge that Islam presents to Christianity and how the Christian faith more than meets that challenge.
The Constantine Codex is one of a series of popular novels written by noted historian Dr. Paul L. Maier dealing with archaeology, Christianity, and with opposition to the truth.
Review:
The portion of the book that portrays a Christian-Muslim debate provides a wealth of information about Islam and the Qur'an. The following list can illustrate:
1. Topics in the Qur’an that differ from the Bible
- One of Noah’s sons drowned (11:43)
- Abraham’s father was Azar, not Terah (6:74)
- Baby Moses was adopted by Pharaoh’s wife, not Pharaoh's daughter (28:8ff)
- There were nine plagues in Egypt, not ten (27:12)
- Zechariah, father of John, was silent for 3 days, not 9 months (3:40-41)
- Jesus was born under a palm tree, not in a manger area (19:23)
- Christians have 3 gods: Father, Jesus, Mary (5:116)
- Jesus did not die on the cross; someone took his place (4:157 – and The Gospel of Barnabas)
2. Contradiction and weakness in the Qur’an
- Creation in 6 days (7:54) or in 2 days (41:9)
- The first written version of the Qur’an was begun by Caliph Uthman 20 years after Muhammad died, more than 600 years after Christ
- The Qur'an and Islam originate from one person vs the united voices of the prophets and apostles over 1500 years that testify in Scripture about Jesus Christ
3. Abrogation in the Qur’an
- The satanic verses
- The doctrine of abrogation (2:106 cf. 16:101)
4. Islam’s understanding of biblical prophecy
- Islam claims that Moses predicts Muhammad, not Jesus (Dt 18:18)
- Islam claims that Jesus predicts Muhammad, not the Holy Spirit (Jn 14:16)
5. Inconsistency in Islam
- Islam is a religion of both war and peace
- Islam promotes (2:190-193; 9:111; 3:195) and condemns (4:29) suicide attacks
- Muslim men are limited to 4 wives; Muhammad had 12 – his last, Aisha, was 6 when married, 9 when he took her as his wife. Muhammad wanted but never had a son
- Aisha said Muhammad was with her in Mecca on the night of his Night Journey
6. Conversion to/from Islam
- Islam is not (!) the world’s fastest-growing religion (David Barrett, World Christian Encyclopedia)
- Annually, 6 million Muslims convert to Christianity (Ahmad al Qataani in Al Jazeera 12/12/06)
7. Sources defending the faith
- Defense of Islam (Osman al Ghazali) – Islam's greatest difficulty with Christianity: Trinity and Incarnation of Christ
- Defense of Christianity by Muslim converts (the Caner brothers)
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